Linked in: Obama and Boehner to tee it up
Call it the golf summit.
President Obama and House Speaker John A. Boehner will hit the links, an outing that comes as Republicans and the administration are negotiating a range of issues in Washington --notably an end to the standoff over a deficit reduction package that would secure GOP votes needed to raise the nation’s debt limit.
Obama has been knocked in some conservative circles for his golf game. The president plays nearly every weekend when the weather is warm.
He invited Boehner to play two weeks from Saturday, White House officials said this afternoon.
It’s not clear yet where the two will meet up or who else might join them. Boehner was recently ranked 43rd among Washington golfers by Golf Digest, while Obama did not make the Top 50.
Obama might be wise to bring along Vice President Joe Biden, who ranks 29th on the list, while Boehner has his pick of several Republican members of Congress who made the list.
The opportunity for metaphors abound, given that it’s not yet clear whether the two men will play against or with each other, in a competitive match or just a friendly round of best-ball.
White House officials say the invitation is all in good fun, meant to provide a civilized break during a summer of tough talks about debt and deficit.
No word yet on whether Obama will curb his impulse toward trash-talking during athletic outings.
cparsons@tribune.com
More to Read
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
